RCPsych publishes results of Health and Social Care Bill survey

Embargoed until 11 October 2011

Only 1 in 10 psychiatrists believe that the
reforms proposed in the government’s Health and Social Care Bill
will lead to better patient care, according
to a snapshot survey carried out by the Royal College of
Psychiatrists (RCPsych).

The survey, which had 1,890 respondents, also
found that:

84% believe that the RCPsych
should call for the Bill to be withdrawn

93% were not reassured by
the Government’s response to the recent Listening Exercise

85% believe that the current
reforms will not deliver cost-effective care

78% believe that the current
reforms will not improve relationships between GPs and
psychiatrists

Professor Sue Bailey, President of the Royal
College of Psychiatrists, said: "Our findings are extremely
worrying. Nine out of 10 of the psychiatrists who responded do not
think that the current reforms will lead to better patient care.
Our mental health service users are a particularly vulnerable
group, who already experience considerable health inequalities.
History tells us that in times of economic restraint, when combined
with major reform, those with mental health problems fare the
worst.

"Perhaps most significantly, 84% of our
members have expressed the view that the Bill should be withdrawn.
At this stage of the Bill’s passage, and on behalf of our members,
I urgently call on the House of Lords to set up a health select
committee to interrogate and debate more fully the implications of
these reforms for our patients."

Professor Bailey continued: "In the meantime
psychiatrists, as doctors, are continuously working with our GP
colleagues to ensure we deliver the best care and treatment for
patients and their families."